The stag sniffled pathetically.Do you think I’m ugly now?
“No! Don’t be ridiculous!”
Stacy, trying on a set of red earmuffs that matched the bow in her hair, startled and nearly dropped them. “What? You don’t think the red is good?” Her hand went to the bow, fingers clawed like she’d pull it out.
“The red is amazing! No, I’m sorry! I’m an idiot! Thank you for the antlers!” Keith put his face in his hands, feeling the antlers slide around on his head a little as he tilted it downward.
The stag wailed in alarm.Don’t let my antlers fall off AGAIN!
Stacy frowned at him in concern. “Keith? If you don’t like them I won’t get them for you. It was just a dumb idea anyway. I don’t really do Christmas stuff, so…I’m sorry?”
This was amazing. Keith was going to blow it with his fated mateandhis shifter animal all in one massive go. He lifted his head again, anchoring the antlers more firmly, and met Stacy’s eyes with all the sincerity he could. “No, honestly, they’re wonderful and I love them. I’m also a huge weirdo who apparently can’t talk to girls without making an idiot of myself.”
The stag sniffled again.You do fine when I’m BEAUTIFUL. I’m ruining everything.
Keith wasn’t actually sure that was true. He struck a lot of poses and got a lot of superficial admiration when the stag was in good form, but he’d never really felt like he had much luck connecting with women. Most of the relationships he’d had seemed to be based on him photographing well. He just didn’t have much in common with people who were looking for an influencer-perfect boyfriend, and they either dumped him for not being sufficiently into it, or he faded out of their lives from boredom and discomfort. Debating vat versus thimble sized cups of cider was much more his style, and the truth was, he’d had more fun with Stacy in a couple of hours than he’d had in entire years-long previous relationships.
And Stacy was grinning at him now, skepticism bright in her gorgeous brown eyes. “I think you’re doing just fine talking to girls. At least to this girl. Look, honestly, if you don’t want the antlers—”
Noooooo! My ANTLERS! You can’t let her take them away!The poor stag really would clutch its skull and hold the headband in place, if it could. Keith wasn’t nearly as traumatized by his haircut as the stag was by shedding its antlers, but he did feel sorry for his animal self.
“No, really, if you don’t mind, I’d love to have them.”
A trace of relief slid across her round-cheeked face. “Okay. If you’re sure. Like I said, I don’t usually do Christmas or holiday stuff, so I’m probably just bad at it.”
“You actually have no idea how perfect you are.”
From the startled look Stacy gave him, Keith thought that was maybe coming on a little strong. “In choosing the antlers, I mean. They’re literally perfect and at some point I’ll explain why.”
But not now?His stag sounded so relieved that Keith wanted to hug it.
Not now,he promised.I really think it would be fine, but I want you to be comfortable with it too.
This was not even slightly how he imagined meeting his fated mate would go. Still, he really couldn’t see pushing his stag into letting him shift for Stacy if the animal was really that embarrassed about his lack of antlers.
Fawns don’t have antlers,the stag whispered miserably.I am not afawn. I am a virile handsomestag, but without my antlers I am UNBEAUTIFUL.
True stags shed their antlers every year,Keith pointed out, but he wasn’t trying to change his shifter animal’s mind anymore.
Just as well, too, because the stag sniffed in disdain.True stags don’t have fated mates.
Keith couldn’t argue with that.Tell you what, how about you let me talk to mine for a while without any more—He hesitated, fairly sure the stag would object to being told it was being melodramatic or theatrical in its woe.—distractions,he ended, although it was entirely possible the stag would say—
I am not a DISTRACTION!Offense rolled through the stag’s entire presence, although it sighed dramatically and conceded,But I can’t talk to her, so you should, yes. Without telling her anything about me! She cannot—
“I know, I know, she can’t see you like this.”
Stacy, paying for her earmuffs and his antlers, blinked back at Keith. “Who can’t see me like this? Or you like this? It’s too late for me to make a good impression on your mom, you realize. I threw her out of my salon yesterday.”
“I thinkIthrew her out of your salon yesterday. You just yelled at her—and everybody else—to sit down."
"Oh, well, that'slotsbetter."
Keith grinned. "No, she thought it was great, she said so later. And…I don’t even know what I was talking about.” That obviously wasn’t true, but his stag’s gratitude made Keith run with it. “I personally look forward to everyone seeing me wearing two foot tall felt antlers for the rest of the holiday season.”
The stag, in a small, hopeful voice, said,Really?and Keith couldn’t help a laugh. “Really,” he promised both the stag and Stacy’s skeptical look. He lifted his chin, posing dramatically. “How do I look?”
“Gorgeous.”
